[83] The proofs may be consulted in Baruffaldi, "Vita di M. Ludovico Ariosto," published in 1807; and also in Frizzi, "Memorie della Famiglia Ariosto."
[84] Baruffaldi gives some family reasons, but they are far from being satisfactory.—See Vita, in p. 159.
[85] Ruscelli, Fabroni, Baruffaldi, and the late poet Monti, are all agreed on this point.
[86] Orlando Furioso, c. 42, st. 93.
CHAPTER XIV.
SPENSER'S ROSALIND AND SPENSER'S ELIZABETH.
Pass we from the Ariosto of Italy, to Spenser, our English Ariosto; the transition is natural:—they resemble each other certainly, but with a difference, and this difference reigns especially in their minor poems.
The tender heart and luxuriant fancy of Spenser have thrown round his attachments all the strong interest of reality and all the charm of romance and poetry; and since we know that the first developement of his genius was owing to female influence, his Rosalind ought to have been deified for what her beauty achieved, had she possessed sufficient soul to appreciate the lustre of her conquest.